A MOTHER has started fundraising to support a family who lost their son after a tragic dog attack.

Dexter Neal, three, from Ronald Road in Halstead, was injured after being bitten by a dog at a home last Thursday.

He was airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge on August 18, but tragically died from his injuries.

Rachael Lawrence, from Ramsey Road in Halstead, set up a Go Fund Me page following the shocking story.

Mrs Lawrence, 34, wanted to help the family with funeral costs as she too has young children.

She and her partner James have three children- Bethany, seven, Joshua, five, and Amalie, one.

She said: "I don't know the family but it just struck me that it would have been any one of us.

"I have got three children and we all go on play dates- if that had been one of us I wouldn't have had the money to cover funeral costs.

"I just wanted to give them a bit of breathing space and give them one less thing to worry about."

Before she knew Dexter had passed away she had been trying to organise having food delivered to the house for when the family got home.

After finding out he died she created the fundraising page for funeral costs.

She said: "I have never done anything like it before, I just really felt for them.

"I just thought it's such a close knit community and we all help each other while we can- it's absolutely devastating.

"I feel for them so much."

She has spoken to the family liaison officer at Essex Police and the family has her contact details to get in touch about fundraising.

She said: "I have had people asking me why I'm doing it but I really just want to help, it's doing quite well."

The page has raised £2,600 since August 19, smashing the £2,000 target.

A 29-year-old woman from Halstead was arrested for allowing a dog to be dangerously out of control injuring a person.

She has now been released on bail until October 19.

The dog has been seized by police and placed in kennels, it has been identified as an American Bulldog.

To donate visit www.gofundme.com/2kkkmkfk